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Unwilling Survivor: The Unwanted Chronicles, Book One
114 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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May 22, 2026Short, chaotic, and way too much fun
I received this audiobook copy from the author and paired up with the ebook on Kindle unlimited.
Unwilling Survivor was such a fun listen. It started with humor right away, and the fourth-wall breaking throughout gave it that crazy energy that made it stand out.
This is short, quick, and exactly the kind of book that knows what it is. It does not try to be some deep, dramatic apocalypse survival saga. It leans into the humor, the chaos, and the main character’s personality.
The pacing was perfect for the length. Nothing dragged, nothing felt overdone, and it kept moving in a way that made the whole thing easy to fly through.
A.W. McClellan was fantastic as the narrator. His delivery fit the chaotic main character so well, and the comedic timing made the fourth-wall humor feel natural instead of forced.
This is book one out of five, and I’m definitely adding the rest of the series to my TBR.
I’d recommend this to listeners who like short audiobooks, apocalyptic comedy, fun main characters, fourth-wall breaking, chaotic humor, and narration that complements the story.
I received this audiobook copy from the author and paired up with the ebook on Kindle unlimited.
Unwilling Survivor was such a fun listen. It started with humor right away, and the fourth-wall breaking throughout gave it that crazy energy that made it stand out.
This is short, quick, and exactly the kind of book that knows what it is. It does not try to be some deep, dramatic apocalypse survival saga. It leans into the humor, the chaos, and the main character’s personality.
The pacing was perfect for the length. Nothing dragged, nothing felt overdone, and it kept moving in a way that made the whole thing easy to fly through.
A.W. McClellan was fantastic as the narrator. His delivery fit the chaotic main character so well, and the comedic timing made the fourth-wall humor feel natural instead of forced.
This is book one out of five, and I’m definitely adding the rest of the series to my TBR.
I’d recommend this to listeners who like short audiobooks, apocalyptic comedy, fun main characters, fourth-wall breaking, chaotic humor, and narration that complements the story.
June 15, 2026
Deadpool meets The Walking Dead and somehow it works perfectly.
Unwilling Survivor: The Unwanted Chronicles, Book One completely surprised me in the best way possible. This book takes an apocalyptic survival story and throws in sarcasm, chaos, fourth wall breaking, and a main character who genuinely does not care who he offends, including the reader, narrator, and even the author.
We follow Eli, an unwilling survivor suddenly forced to navigate an end of the world nightmare filled with danger, undead chaos, and the absolute unpredictability of survival. But what makes this story stand out is Eli himself. He is sarcastic, chaotic, hilarious, and constantly talking trash in a way that somehow makes the apocalypse feel weirdly entertaining. The fourth wall breaking was done so well and added a layer of humor that made this unlike any apocalypse book I have read before.
And yes, this book curses. A lot. But it absolutely fits the tone and humor of the story.
For a book that is under 200 pages, it checks every single box for me: action, survival, tension, humor, apocalypse vibes, gore, and characters that kept me invested the entire time. The pacing never slowed down, and I flew through it because I genuinely could not stop reading.
If you enjoy The Walking Dead but wish it had Deadpool-level sarcasm and chaos, this is absolutely worth picking up. Weird, funny, unhinged, and wildly entertaining. No brainer!!
Unwilling Survivor: The Unwanted Chronicles, Book One completely surprised me in the best way possible. This book takes an apocalyptic survival story and throws in sarcasm, chaos, fourth wall breaking, and a main character who genuinely does not care who he offends, including the reader, narrator, and even the author.
We follow Eli, an unwilling survivor suddenly forced to navigate an end of the world nightmare filled with danger, undead chaos, and the absolute unpredictability of survival. But what makes this story stand out is Eli himself. He is sarcastic, chaotic, hilarious, and constantly talking trash in a way that somehow makes the apocalypse feel weirdly entertaining. The fourth wall breaking was done so well and added a layer of humor that made this unlike any apocalypse book I have read before.
And yes, this book curses. A lot. But it absolutely fits the tone and humor of the story.
For a book that is under 200 pages, it checks every single box for me: action, survival, tension, humor, apocalypse vibes, gore, and characters that kept me invested the entire time. The pacing never slowed down, and I flew through it because I genuinely could not stop reading.
If you enjoy The Walking Dead but wish it had Deadpool-level sarcasm and chaos, this is absolutely worth picking up. Weird, funny, unhinged, and wildly entertaining. No brainer!!
June 24, 2026
This was a very different listening experience than I expected.
The audiobook narration gave Eli an energy that reminded me of a cross between Deadpool and Jim Carrey, though much closer to Jim Carrey. In fact, after a while I found myself picturing Jim Carrey’s character from The Mask whenever Eli was speaking. The performance is highly energetic, self-aware, and frequently breaks the fourth wall.
What I found most interesting was that the central relationship in the story often felt less like Eli versus the apocalypse and more like Eli versus the Author. Eli regularly addresses and comments on the author, creating an ongoing meta-conversation throughout the book. However, because the author never truly becomes an active participant in that exchange, I often found myself waiting for the other half of the conversation. The setup creates the expectation of banter, but much of it feels one-sided.
The experience reminded me of reading a Choose Your Own Adventure book where the main character is aware that they’re inside a story and keeps talking directly to the person reading it. It’s an unusual approach that gives the book a distinct personality.
As with the previous book, I often felt like I was seeing the foundation of a larger story rather than a fully developed one. Events move quickly, and there were times when I felt as though I was reading the opening stages of a series rather than a complete installment. The world and characters seem positioned for future development, but much of the book felt focused on establishing Eli’s voice and his unusual relationship with the author.
Overall, it was certainly a unique experience, especially in audio format, and one that stands apart from more traditional zombie apocalypse stories.
The audiobook narration gave Eli an energy that reminded me of a cross between Deadpool and Jim Carrey, though much closer to Jim Carrey. In fact, after a while I found myself picturing Jim Carrey’s character from The Mask whenever Eli was speaking. The performance is highly energetic, self-aware, and frequently breaks the fourth wall.
What I found most interesting was that the central relationship in the story often felt less like Eli versus the apocalypse and more like Eli versus the Author. Eli regularly addresses and comments on the author, creating an ongoing meta-conversation throughout the book. However, because the author never truly becomes an active participant in that exchange, I often found myself waiting for the other half of the conversation. The setup creates the expectation of banter, but much of it feels one-sided.
The experience reminded me of reading a Choose Your Own Adventure book where the main character is aware that they’re inside a story and keeps talking directly to the person reading it. It’s an unusual approach that gives the book a distinct personality.
As with the previous book, I often felt like I was seeing the foundation of a larger story rather than a fully developed one. Events move quickly, and there were times when I felt as though I was reading the opening stages of a series rather than a complete installment. The world and characters seem positioned for future development, but much of the book felt focused on establishing Eli’s voice and his unusual relationship with the author.
Overall, it was certainly a unique experience, especially in audio format, and one that stands apart from more traditional zombie apocalypse stories.
March 11, 2026
Ok, sir...how dare you? You left Eli hanging on a rope for the entire book!!! And the epilogue? He's begging us to help him!!!
FIX THIS NOW! Save Eli so he can get back to Hailey and Allie!
I don't know if anyone has read a book where the mc is very aware of his circumstances and him being a fictional character, but this book made me want to find more books like it.
I swear I developed a bond with Eli! And not like your book boyfriend crush, like I literal bond. This was literally the most interactive book I have ever read. AND IT WAS ONLY 67 PAGES!!! How do you pack so much into such a short story? Fear, anger, humor, relief, and budding love. It was a freaking emotional roller-coaster and it was epic!!! Absolutely amazing book Mr. Lay!
NOW GO SAVE ELI!!! He is requesting your services!
10🌟 read!
FIX THIS NOW! Save Eli so he can get back to Hailey and Allie!
I don't know if anyone has read a book where the mc is very aware of his circumstances and him being a fictional character, but this book made me want to find more books like it.
I swear I developed a bond with Eli! And not like your book boyfriend crush, like I literal bond. This was literally the most interactive book I have ever read. AND IT WAS ONLY 67 PAGES!!! How do you pack so much into such a short story? Fear, anger, humor, relief, and budding love. It was a freaking emotional roller-coaster and it was epic!!! Absolutely amazing book Mr. Lay!
NOW GO SAVE ELI!!! He is requesting your services!
10🌟 read!
June 12, 2026
Unwilling Survivor was an absolute blast from start to finish! The hook and pacing were amazing—this book was completely unputdownable. While the world-building felt a little generic at times, the writing is so vivid that I still had zero trouble picturing every single scene.
What really made this story shine for me were the characters. I loved them all, but what truly set it apart was the main character speaking directly to the reader. That fourth-wall breaking was brilliant and so much fun!
The plot execution was incredible—filled with brilliant twists that were perfectly executed and incredibly satisfying. The vibes were completely spot on, and I had a total blast reading it.
If you are a fan of Deadpool style humor, chaotic energy, and zombie apocalypse books, I highly recommend picking this one up. You won't regret it!
What really made this story shine for me were the characters. I loved them all, but what truly set it apart was the main character speaking directly to the reader. That fourth-wall breaking was brilliant and so much fun!
The plot execution was incredible—filled with brilliant twists that were perfectly executed and incredibly satisfying. The vibes were completely spot on, and I had a total blast reading it.
If you are a fan of Deadpool style humor, chaotic energy, and zombie apocalypse books, I highly recommend picking this one up. You won't regret it!
February 22, 2026
The fourth wall break was different from what I have read before but at the same time it was funny. The main character's thoughts and then the times he either addressed the readers or the author was quite funny with some of the things that he said. I will say a little forewarning there is going to be a little spoiler about the end. I was hoping that after dangling from a rope by the leg, that Eli would have been able to get loose and go back to the water tower, where Hailey and Allie were. But the story ended there and we got left with a cliffhanger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2026
This story zooms at you !! The reader is instantly plunged into the ZA right along with Eli. I was cracking up in the prologue & the laughter kept coming. I loved the pacing & the 4th wall breaks, seeing inside the characters head in a different way was refreshing. The violence was delectable & I only want more !!
“Anyone with half a brain knows that the best currency in the apocalypse is three things. Hard booze, caffeine, and most of all, smokes.”
🤭 I’m trying to give that *astard* 🤫 a reason to keep writing - bookBRAT says so homie 🫡 DO NOT FADE HIM OUT 📚 please
“Anyone with half a brain knows that the best currency in the apocalypse is three things. Hard booze, caffeine, and most of all, smokes.”
🤭 I’m trying to give that *astard* 🤫 a reason to keep writing - bookBRAT says so homie 🫡 DO NOT FADE HIM OUT 📚 please
March 24, 2026
Funny, Gorey and Adventurous
Wow, what a fun and hilarious read! Gorey, funny AF, the comedic timing between the adventure and scary side of a zombie apocalypse was perfect! I felt like I was right there with the character. I’m so excited for book two, the writing style of breaking the wall and talking to the reader was so original and fun. I’m a big fan and hope you reading this will be too! So glad TikTok brought me to you!
Wow, what a fun and hilarious read! Gorey, funny AF, the comedic timing between the adventure and scary side of a zombie apocalypse was perfect! I felt like I was right there with the character. I’m so excited for book two, the writing style of breaking the wall and talking to the reader was so original and fun. I’m a big fan and hope you reading this will be too! So glad TikTok brought me to you!
April 27, 2026
Hilarious 4th wall breaking ZA story. 100 pages is the perfect amount to hook us in, build a familiar scenario and give us a cast of characters we care about. Im SO glad #2 is already out. Matthew stop wasting your time reading this and keep writing!! We need more, I'm gonna be done with #2 in about an hour. Chop chop.
I Dropped a star bc it felt like there was a lot of "telling instead of showing". Although to be fair, that's kind of a given with the unique writing style.
I Dropped a star bc it felt like there was a lot of "telling instead of showing". Although to be fair, that's kind of a given with the unique writing style.
May 28, 2026
I did this book as an audiobook! This was such a quick and fun listen! Not only is Eli trying to survive the zombie apocalypse but he’s trying to survive the author as well. Eli’s inner monologues took me out! I love how the humor reminded me a lot of Deadpool and the narration reminded me of DCC. if you are a fan of those, you will enjoy giving this a listen! Overall, awesome listen and will recommend!
March 27, 2026
Not typically my cup of tea type of story but I was engaged the whole time! Breaking the 4th wall was interesting because not many books do that so it took me by surprise (but in a good way😂). Eli was hilarious. I loved how the story came back full circle. I enjoyed the writing, for sure!👏
April 6, 2026
Deadpool meets ZA
If zombies are your cup of tea, this is a great read. Funny 4th wall breaks. Well thought out…though as they say…best laid plans get thrown out windows…or whatever the saying is. XD
If zombies are your cup of tea, this is a great read. Funny 4th wall breaks. Well thought out…though as they say…best laid plans get thrown out windows…or whatever the saying is. XD
May 29, 2026
4th wall breaking at its finest
I am so thrilled that judging a book by the cover worked in my favour.
This book was so much fun to read. The 4th wall breaking by the character (not going to spoil it for those who went in blind like me) was amazing.
The MMC is so funny and it was as if you would be reading his raw journal on him trying to survive a Zombie Apocalypse.
I was even caught by one moment being asked not to cough on his pages and had a good chuckle.
For the MMC!! Please don't let him fad to black! I need more!
27.05.2026
This book was so much fun to read and now I got to listen to the newly released audiobook. The 4th wall breaking by the character (not going to spoil it for those who went in blind like me) was amazing. The narrator is not how I imagined
I am so thrilled that judging a book by the cover worked in my favour.
This book was so much fun to read. The 4th wall breaking by the character (not going to spoil it for those who went in blind like me) was amazing.
The MMC is so funny and it was as if you would be reading his raw journal on him trying to survive a Zombie Apocalypse.
I was even caught by one moment being asked not to cough on his pages and had a good chuckle.
For the MMC!! Please don't let him fad to black! I need more!
27.05.2026
This book was so much fun to read and now I got to listen to the newly released audiobook. The 4th wall breaking by the character (not going to spoil it for those who went in blind like me) was amazing. The narrator is not how I imagined
April 2, 2026
I received this an ARC and my review is freely given. This is a very short story about a guy in the zombie apocalypse who is well aware he's a character in the book. It's funny, but also has some story in it, too.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews